Stress & Drug Abuse

S-T-R-E-S-S

Stress is a dominating problem in the lives of both parents and their kids. Between juggling school, work, homework, sports and the everyday pressures of being a kid, stress is inevitable and a normal part of life. While some stress is ok and can prove to be motivating, too much stress can be unhealthy both mentally and physically. According to a recent survey, 43% of 13-14 year olds say they feel stressed every single day, by ages 15-17, that number rises to 59%. The big problems begin when the stress that teens are feeling becomes unmanageable and they turn to unhealthy behaviors to cope including alcohol and drugs. This is where parents need to step in and recognize that their teen needs some help. Here are some helpful signs for parents to recognize when their teen is feeling the s-t-r-e-s-s:

Chronic moodiness, irritability, anxiety and/or long bouts of sadness

Sleeping problems

Change in Appetite

Headaches

Muscle Tension

Stomach aches

Anger

Constant worry/ feeling trapped

Help your kids deal with their stress before they use drugs to deal with it for them!

2 Responses to Stress & Drug Abuse

My son’s drug abuse began when a Dr. we took him too for his stress prescibed xanax and an anti-depressant! At the FIRST appointment he had with the therapist in the Dr’s office, he was referred to the psyciatrist for meds! So besides watching for alcohol and drug use, be careful about drugs prescribed to your child. One year after my son was prescribed meds for stress he moved on to Heroin and died at 19 years old of a Heroin overdose.